“Now, see this here,” Commander Marlon Smythe said as he gestured toward the overhead LCARS panel with one hand while cradling a coffee cup in the other. He took one last swig and set it down in a recessed hold between the seats. “The trick with this console isn’t what’s lit. It’s what isn’t. The bridge will lie to you if you let it, Lieutenant.”

Lieutenant M’Row observed, tail flicking with curiosity. The Caitian leaned in for a closer look. “I do not particularly care for deception from consoles,” he said flatly.

“You and me both,” Smythe chuckled. “It’s good to keep sharp.”

A soft chime sounded just before the warp drive disengaged. The USS Cardinal slipped out of warp on the trailing edge of the Janoor system. The stars stretched briefly, then snapped into a field of warm color and movement as they approached the planet.

Janoor III filled the forward viewscreen. It was a tapestry of vibrant plains, luminous blue seas and lakes, and jewel-toned townships. Mountain ranges twisted the surface into jagged ridges they could study on screen. Small ships of all classes moved between orbital facilities and planetary spaceports in rhythmic arcs. Several Starfleet vessels could be seen in orbit of the planet.

A type-12 shuttlecraft sped towards the planet, glowing amber as it breeched the colony world’s atmosphere.

“Now that,” M’Row murmured as his ears perked up, “looks promising.”

From the Ops console alongside helm control, Ensign Avery Hanssen leaned forward. “Sir, I’ve got a ping from a Ferengi Marauder. She’s in low orbit, about one thousand kilometers off our port side.”

“Bring us alongside her, Ensign Votto,” Smythe ordered with a gleam in his eye.

“Aye, Commander,” replied the Bolian helmsman, hands already dancing across the controls. “Coming to course one-four-seven mark three. Aligning the starboard vector.”

The ship pivoted with a smooth grace. As the familiar silhouette of the battered-but-sturdy orange craft came into view, a low ripple of cheers spread across the bridge.

“We made it,” muttered Lt. Xor ch’Kevk from Tactical, relaxing his shoulders as he exhaled.

“Shore leave confirmed,” Ensign Bova Bal added from the sensor pod-monitoring Intel station. His heavy Grazerite frame slumped in well-earned relief.

“Yes,” Lieutenant JG Spavk said blanky at Science, “that is agreeable.” The Vulcan slowly turned in his chair towards the raised side section of the bridge.

Commander Smythe took a moment to let the quiet joy settle, then walked back towards his command chair.

“Attention all hands currently on duty,” the XO began with depth and bass in his booming voice. “This is Commander Smythe. The USS Cardinal has arrived at Janoor III. As of now, shore leave is authorized. Department heads and senior officers, you are to manage your teams accordingly. Please follow standard checkout procedures with your chain of command. Stay reachable via commbadge. Make certain any scheduled duties are covered in your absence.”

A pause, then a smirk. “And if you forget where you beamed down from, our ship is the big circle with a dome on top.”
Several officers laughed quietly, most of whom were being polite. It was late and Marlon was feeling loopy.

When the speech concluded, M’Row leaned toward him. “You deserve rest. I will hold the watch until oh-four-hundred, then notify Captain Raku.”

“Much appreciated,” Smythe said with a grateful nod. “I’ll get a few hours of sleep before that meeting with the colony’s leadership and the other Task Force captains.” He stretched slightly, eyes on the gleaming planet below. “After that, I might go hiking. There’s a lot of culture blooming down there. Not long ago, this place was all smoke and emergency shelters. Now look at what they’ve built here.”

“Skiing,” said ch’Kevk from Tactical with sudden finality. “I intend to visit every major settlement here. I think I’ll start with the Renewal Mountain Resort. It’s near the summit of Resistance Mountain.” The Andorian was in the process of scanning the mountain with several of the ship’s powerful scientific sensors.

At the navigation station, Lt. T’Parrsa lifted a verdant brow. “The slopes are operational again?” Pearly white teeth flashed a smile through her pine green features. “I will come with you. I ski fast though, just a warning.”

Xor blinked. “You do? I mean, you will?”

She offered a small shrug. “It is logical to travel with others.” She glanced playfully at Spavk, using the Vulcan type phrase to disguise her interest. “Besides, I own a neon-orange snowsuit. You will not lose me.”

Smythe shook his head and chuckled. “You two stay safe out there.” The XO was speaking more about guarding their hearts and bodies than any actual danger. “I’ve already picked my destination,” he added as he sat and turned to the screen. “Hotel Lanea’s Victory. It’s the biggest hotel on the planet. They say the pool glows at night. I’ve heard so much about that pool.”

“I hear that, sir” Votto chimed in. “Ensign Dirov is putting something together for the junior officers. We’re renting a little place out by Hills and Ponds Township. It should just be a few of us. We’ll hike, eat at a couple of weird restaurants and maybe try a pub crawl. Lieutenant Raii is even joining us.”

Smythe laughed softly. “You’re taking the lawyer? Good luck! I’m sure you’ll all have a good time.”

He stood, his shoulders finally lowering from their long-drawn tension, and glanced toward the distant hotel district near the horizon. Lights flickered there, beckoning like the end of a long warp leg.

“Me?” Bova Bal grunted, half to himself. “I just want to pass out in a bed the size of this ship’s sensor pod. I won’t wake up until breakfast room service chimes twice.” His stubby fingers scratched his beard.

“Enjoy the rest, Bal. You deserve it.” Commander Smythe turned towards him as he spoke. “I have to say, I’m really enjoying these new shifts. It’s nice to run the bridge for a few hours every day.”

“Captain Raku is still doing Alpha and Beta back to back, huh?” There was respect and curiosity in Xor’s voice. His antennae rose higher, alert.

“Sure”, Smythe replied. “He personally doesn’t mind the twelve hour shift. Both of us are always on call though. If something crazy happened now, we’d wake the Captain. Then he might have to work into the next shift or two.”

There was a brief pause as the officers took in his words. Captain Raku and Commander Smythe led by example with an extraordinary effort comprised of sweat and overtime.

“But we’ll make sure anyone who has to put in extra time gets enough time off to reset, Captain Raku included.” Commander Smythe leaned back in his chair. Heavy eyelids tugged lower and closed for a moment.

“Speaking of rest”, Lieutenant M’Row said. “You should catch that catnap before the meeting.” His tail curled up alongside his thigh as he sat alongside Marlon. The raised command platform sat just lower than the metallic champagne colored crescent behind it that lifted the raised bridge stations to the rear and sides.

“You caught me”, Marlon said with a chuckle. “It’s hard just getting up mid-shift and giving up the bridge. Wake me if anything comes up. Anything, even a simple comm.”

M’Row twisted his head. “Only if it’s important, Commander. You’ve got a long day ahead.”

“A long, exciting day”, Smythe said as he stood. “Okay Delta Shift. It was great working with you again. Lieutenant M’Row, you have the bridge. Skeleton Crew bridge shifts start with Alpha at zero-eight-hundred hours. Keep us locked into high orbit, Mister Votto.” He took one last look across the bridge. “See you all planetside.”

Several of the bridge officers each issued some variant of goodbye or goodnight. Marlon hauled his weary, mahogany frame out of the doors until they whisked closed behind him.